Foldable game table



June 22, 1965- H. HEISLER 3,190,649

FOLDABLE GAME TABLE Original Filed Sept. 21, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HAROLD H EISLE R ATTORNEY 'FIG.6

June 22, 1965 H. HEiSLER 3,190,649

FOLDABLE GAME TABLE Original Filed Sept. 21, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD HEISLER ATTORNEY June 22, 1965 HEJSLER 3,190,649

FOLDABLE GAME TABLE Original Filed Sept. 21, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENT OR. Harald Hassle?- L H. In Bygy 2,

United States Patent 3,190,649 FOLDABLE GAME TABLE Harold Heisler, Plainfield, Ill., assignor to Midwest Folding Products Mfg. C0rp., Roselle, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Continuation of application Ser. No. 841,323, Sept. 21, 1959. This application Feb. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 170,374

4- Claims. (Cl. 273-30) This application is filed as a continuation of application Serial No. 841,323, filed September 21, 1959 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a table structure, and more particularly to a foldable game table. The table structure embodying the invention is especially useful in connection with the playing of ping-pong or table tennis and analogous games where a net is employed.

iln playing ping-pong, a table of prescribed dimensions is employed and a net extends transversely across the table at the center thereof. Conventionally, the net is affixed at the opposite ends thereof to brackets which are clamped or otherwise removably secured to the table. The net does not terminate at the longitudinal edges of the table, but rather projects outwardly beyond each such edge for a distance of approximately six inches. For this reason, generally L-shaped brackets are usually employed for anchoring the net to the table since brackets of this type do not place obstructions in the playing area, which at the center of the table comprises the entire length of the net or distance between the brackets.

Since ping-pong tables are quite large-the regulation dimensions being five feet by nine feet--it is preferable to provide an arrangement that enables the table to be divided into sections for convenient and compact storage; and desirably, such tables are foldable so that they can be quickly and conveniently erected for use and thereafter dismantled and folded for storage. However, with conventional tables whether foldable or simply separable int-o smaller sections, the necessity of constantly removing the net for storage and replacing same for use is a great inconvenience, but has been required mainly for two reasons: First, for use, the net must be centrally disposed and therefore extends along the length of the line of division between the foldable or separable sections of the table, whereby maintenance of such position during storage is difficult; and secondly, an erected net and the mounting brackets therefor would extend outwardly beyond the respective edges of a folded table and would be subject to damage as Well as reducing compactness of the structure. Further, the perpendicularity of the net to the table would prevent the sections from being folded into adjacency, which again would reduce compactness.

In view of the above considerations, an object of the present invention is to provide a net-equipped table of improved function and design. Another object of the invention is that of providing a foldable net-equipped table adapted for use in playing table tennis and the like, and wherein the net and brackets therefor are a permanent part thereof and need not be removed and replaced when the table is folded for storage and extended for use.

Still another object is that of providing a table of the character described, in which the net and brackets therefor are foldable inwardly into the dimensional limits of the table when folded, and at such time are disposed in a generally parallel rather than normal relation with the adjacent generally parallel sections of the table. A further object of the invention is to provide a ping-pong table or the like comprising two sections which are selectively movable between a generally planar position of use and a generally parallel folded position, and in which the table is equipped with permanent net-supporting brackets that are automatically moved with the table sections between Patented June 22, 1965 a net-supporting position that tensions the net across the table in the playing position thereof, and a storage position inwardly of the dimensional limits of the table when the sections thereof are folded whereby the net need never be removed from the table.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification develops.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying the invention disposed in the position of use thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a broken perspective view of the table intermediate the extended and folded positions thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, broken transverse sectional view taken substantially through the center of the table in its extended position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, broken transverse sectional view also taken substantially through the center of the table but in the folded position thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a broken top plan view of the table in its extended position, but with the net removed to show portions of the structure more clearly; and

FIGURE 6 is a further enlarged, broken transverse sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 4 but taken along the underside of the folded section 11.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view, with intermediate parts broken away, the aforesaid figure illustrating one of the torsion bar devices employed as a part of my invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view looking from the right of FIG. 7 and illustrating a portion of one of the mounting plates for said torsion bar and the torsion arm.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken on a vertical plane indicated by line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

The table structure generally is denoted with the numeral 10 and comprises a pair of sections 11 and 12 supported by an under frame structure 13. The table 10 is equipped with a net 14 supported at opposite ends thereof by brackets 15 and 16. In the particular embodiment of the invention specifically considered herein, the sections 11 and 1-2 have identical dimensions and together define a regulation ping-pong table five feet in width and nine feet in length. The sections 11 and 12 may be formed of any suitable material as, for example, wood and plastic laminations, etc. The sections 11 and 12 are selectively movable between the fully extended position of use illustrated in FIGURE 1, wherein the sections are longitudinally aligned and define a planar, substantially horizontal playing surface, and the folded position illustrated partially in FIGURE 2 and in section in FIGURE 4 wherein the sections are vertically oriented in facing adjacen-cy.

The frame 13 comprises a generally rectangular base having longitudinally extending ends 17 and 18 interconnected by transversely extending sides 19 and 20 which are rotatable about the respective axes thereof. Respec-' tively secured to the frame ends 17 and 18 and extending therealong are rails 21 equipped at the opposite ends thereof with wheels or casters 22. Thus, four such wheels are respectively provided at the corners of the rectangular base. Rigidly secured to the transversely extending frame member 19 are a pair of struts 23 and 24 which extend generally along the length of the section '11, and at the outer ends thereof are pivotally connected to a shaft 25 extending transversely of the section 11 and carried by the perimetric underframe 26 thereof. A similar structural arrangement is afforded for the section 12; and thus, a pair of struts 27 and 2% are rigidly secured to the frame member 20 and are pivotally connected to a transverse shaft (not shown).

The underframe 26 of the section 11 is also equioned 9 with a transversely extending shaft 29 substantially parallel to the shaft '25, and pivotally secured thereto are a pair of depending legs 30 and 31 connected together intermediate the ends thereof. At such point of connection and pivotally coupled to each such leg is a drive bar 32 that is disposed intermediate the struts 23 and 24-. The drive bar 32 has a hook-shaped end portion adjacent the frame base which extends over the transverse member 19, and is connected by the depending ear 33 to a support bar 34 connected with the frame ends 17 and 18 and projecting therebetween.

The frame member 19 is a torsion bar providing a counterbalance for the weight of the table section 11, and biases the same toward the folded position of the table. As illustrated in the enlarged view of FIG. 7, each of the two transverse frame members 19 are formed from a tubular piece of metal and has securely welded to it in perpendieular position an end portion of the drive bar 32, as indicated. Said frame member 19 has securely welded to one end portion thereof the sleevelike metal passaged fitting 63 which has a hexagonal formed passage into and through which the hexagon steel torsion bar 65 is securely held. This same and extreme end of torsion bar 65 is formed into a reduced end portion which has an annular groove; and is rotatably connected to apertured connecting plate 18 and secured with locking ring 7 1, said plate 18 forming an integral part of carriage assembly. In FIG. 8 is illustrated in cross section one of the tubular support bars 34.

Rotatable in a rounded out and reamed end portion of the tubular member 19, is a torque lever 69 securely brazed to annular plug 76 whose reduced outer end portion is journalled in a hole in carriage end plate 17 as shown at left of FIG. 7.

Into the internal passage of plug 70 the opposite end of torsion bar 65 is securely mounted. The end plates 17 and 18 are welded to the connecting tubular rails 34 and in turn welded to the caster pivot tubes and formed end tubes 21 which form a part of the carriage.

As shown in FIG. 8, torque lever 69 has an integral extending portion 68 which, when said torsion bar is partially rotated, will strike an adjustably secured apertured stop block 74 secured to plate 17 by a screw or bolt 66.

Accordingly, during the first portion of the opening movement of each of the two pivoted table sections, the outward arcuate movement of the drive bar 32 will rock the torsion bar 65 until portion 68 of torque lever 69 is stopped by block 74. Thereupon, the continued opening movement of drive bar 32 will cause rotative movement of fitting 63 and of torsion bar 65 to twist said bar over its entire length to a limited degree. The natural tendency of the bar to return to normal original position will aid in the folding movement of the connected pivoted table section to closed position. Said torsion bar 65 will be under stress when the section '11 is in the horizontal position illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The table section 12 is a precisely corresponding arrangement, and thus has legs 35 and 36 pivotally connected to a shaft (not shown) carried by the underframe of the section. The legs, in turn, are pivotally connected to a drive bar 37 which at its inner end is connected to a support bar 38. The weight of the section 12 is also counterbalanced by the biasing force applied thereto through the torsion bar composition 21 Pivotally secured to the frame end 17 by U-shaped brackets 39 (as shown best in FIGURES 1 and 4-) is a pivot tube 40, and rigidly secured thereto intermediate the brackets 39 is an arm 41 of generally L-shaped configuration which is also pivotally connected to an arm 42 at one end thereof and which at its opposite end is rigidly affixed to a cam shaft 43 rotatably carried by a cam bracket 44. The cam bracket 44, in turn, is hingedly coupled adjacent the opposite ends thereof by pivot pins 45 to hinge components 46 and 47 respectively anchored to the sections 11 and 12. The cam shaft 43 is equipped with outwardly extending pins respectively positioned adjacent the end portions thereof, and such pins ride in slots provided therefor by the respective cam brackets 44. The function of the cam shaft 43 and brackets 44 therefor will become clear hereinafter; but generally stated, these components operate to draw together the adjacent transverse inner edges of the sections 11 and 12 when such sections are horizontally disposed and to separate the same slightly when the sections are folded.

The table 10 is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal center line thereof, and therefore the described structural arrangement is provided on each side of such center line. In the drawings, only the arms, cam shaft and hinge parts are illustrated, and these are denoted respectively, by the numerals 4849, 50 and 51-52. Preferably, the arms 41-48 are connected together by a link 48a to assure simultaneous and coextensive movement of the arms.

A pair of cam compositions substantially the same as the one described is also provided adjacent each longitudinal edge of the table at the center thereof, as shown most clearly in FIGURE 2, and each such composition comprises a cam shaft 53 equipped at the ends thereof with outwardly extending pins that ride in the respective slots 54 and 55 of cam brackets 56 and 57 pivotally carried by hinge parts 58 and 59 respectively secured to the table sections 11 and 12. It will be evident from FIGURE 2 that the cam shaft 53 and brackets 56 and 57 remain in a horizontal position irrespective of the orientation of the table sections 11 and 12, but that the hinge parts 58 and 59 swing with the table sections relative to the brackets 56 and 57. Precisely this same movement is defined by the cam assembly 43-44 and hinge parts 46-47 heretofore described. It will be appreciated that the slots 54 and 55 extend axially relatively to the cam shaft 53 as well as circumferentially thereabout in order to effect longitudinal displacement of the cam brackets, hinge parts and table sections when the cam 53 is rotated. Such rotation of the cam shaft 53 is effected by a linkage connection thereof with the cam shaft 43, and the latter is necessarily rotated by the arms 41 and 42 when the tabletop sections are moved between the folded and extended positions thereof.

The cam shafts 53 and 43 are coupled by a link 60, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. More specifically, the link 66 at one end thereof is pivotally connected to a bifurcated lug 61 rigidly affixed to the cam shaft 43, and at its opposite end the link is pivotally connected to the net bracket 16 which in turn is rigidly secured to the cam shaft 53. The specific bracket 16 illustrated is formed of two L-shaped pieces welded or otherwise secured together in facing, contiguous relation, and such pieces are spread apart slightly at their point of connection to the cam shaft 53 to permit the end portion of the link 60 to be inserted therebetween and to move freely with respect thereto. The bracket may also be provided with openings 62 and 63 to permit the ends of the net 14 to be threaded therethrough.

The link 60, lug 61, bracket 16 and cam shafts 43 and 53 are so connected that all of the structure is disposed beneath the top of the table when it is open, as shown in FIGURES l and 3, with the exception of one leg of the bracket 16 which is spaced laterally from the edge of the table and extends upwardly in normal disposition thereto. However, when the table sections are folded, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the link 60, lug 61 and bracket 16 extend upwardly and are disposed between the adjacent table sections. At such time, both the lug 61 and bracket 16 have been rotated in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4) so as to swing the bracket 16 inwardly of the longitudinal edge of the table. This movement of the bracket collapses the net 14, as shown. It will be evident that the net bracket 15 at the opposite side of the table is arranged in a similar manner as the bracket 16, and is provided with a link 64 pivotally connected thereto and to a lug 65. Thus, the bracket 65 is moved in correspondence with the bracket 16.

In use of the table, and assuming first the open position shown in FIGURE 1, the sections 11 and 12 define a flat, substantially continuous surface that is horizontally disposed, and the net 14 is drawn taut thereacross at the center of the table. The legs 30-31 and 35-36 are in engagement with the'underlying floor and offer a stable support for the table in conjunction with the center frame structure 13. When it is desired to fold the table for storage, the outer end portion of either of the sections 11 and 12 is swung upwardly, and such movement is readily initiated because the weights of the sections are respectively counterbalanced by the torsion bar assemblies 19 and 20. As the table sections pivot upwardly and toward each other, the legs thereof are drawn inwardly by the respective bars 32 and 37 so that the legs nest within the perimetric underframes of the sections when the latter are completely folded.

When one of the sections is swung upwardly in this manner, the other section necessarily moves therewith because of the action of the arms 41-42 and 48-49 and respectively associated cam shaft and bracket arrangements. That is to say, if the outer end of the section 11 is moved upwardly, for example, the inner edge thereof begins to move downwardly which causes all of the cam shafts to move downwardly, and as a result the inner edge of the section 12 is pulled therewith since both sections effectively swing or pivot about the respectively associated frame members 19 and 20. Therefore, since the inner edges of the sections are tied together by the cam shafts, swinging movement of the sections is prevented unless the inner ends of the sections are displaced either upwardly or downwardly. They cannot be displaced upwardly because the arms 41-42 and 48-49 prevent movement in such direction.

As the table sections progress downwardly at the inner ends thereof, the arms collapse or pivot relative to each other into the position shown in FIGURE 4, and consequently the cam shafts 43 and 50 are caused to rotate. The pins thereof ride in the slots of the respectively associated cam brackets, and cause the brackets which are carried by the sections 11 and 12 to move longitudinally and outwardly along the cam shafts whereupon the inner edges of the sections separate so as to permit the net and brackets therefor to move inwardly therebetween. Such rotational movement of the cam shafts 43 and 50 causes a corresponding pivotal movement of the cam shaft 53 because of the cooperative action of the links 60, lugs 61 and net brackets. As a result, the net brackets swing inwardly or rotate in a clockwise direction relative to the cam shafts 53, as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4, when the table sections are folded.

The reverse movement occurs when the table sections are swung from the folded to the open position thereof, and the cam shafts 53 rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, and as a consequence the net brackets rotate outwardly and into the position of FIGURE 3. Preferably, the arms 41-42 and 48-49 have an over-center position when the table sections are fully open, which prevents inadvertent folding of the sections. Such an over-center relationship of the arms effectively constrains movement of the sections because the arms 42 and 49 are of U-shaped configuration and respectively receive the arms 41 and 48 therein, whereupon the arms 41 and 48 abut the base wall of the respective arms 42 and 49 in such over-center position. It will be necessary to manually break the arm combinations past the over-center positions thereof before the sections can be folded.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention has been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of adequately disclosing the same, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the principles or spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a table structure, a pair of table sections, underframe structure supporting said sections for selective movement between a position of use in which the sections are longitudinally aligned in substantially planar relation and a folded position of storage in which said sections are oriented in facing, substantially parallel adjacency, a cam structure connected with said sections along the adjacent transverse edges thereof for drawing such edges toward each other when the sections are moved to the open position of use thereof and for displacing such edges from each other when the sections are folded, a pair of brackets supported by said cam structure at the adjacent transverse edges of said sections and along the respective longitudinal edges of said sections for pivotal movement about longitudinally extending axes, and linkage connecting each of said brackets with said frame structure and table sections to pivot said brackets upon movement of said table sections between a perpendicular position relative thereto when the sections are in their position of use and a parallel position with respect thereto when the sections are folded.

2. In a table structure, a pair of table sections, underframe structure supporting said sections for selective movement between a position of use in which the sections are longitudinally aligned in substantially planar relation and a folded position of storage in which said sections are oriented in facing, substantially parallel adjacency, a pair of brackets respectively supported by said table sections for pivotal movement about longitudinally extending axes between a first position corresponding to the position of use of said sections in which the brackets are disposed laterally outwardly of the longitudinally edges of said table and a second position corresponding to the folded position of said sections in which the brackets are disposed inwardly of such longitudinal edges, and linkage connecting said brackets with said frame structure to effect such pivotal movement of said brackets, said linkage comprising cam structure connected with said sections along the adjacent transverse edges thereof for drawing said edges toward each other when the sections are moved into the position of use thereof and for displacing such edges from each other when the sections are folded, said brackets being responsive to the movement of said cam structure for effecting the aforesaid pivotal movement of said brackets.

3. In a table structure, a base structure, a pair of table sections, a separate support leg structure movably mounted to each table section, a separate linkage mounted to each table section and connecting each leg structure to said base structure to mount said table sections for selective movement relative to the base structure between a position of use in which the table sections are longitudinally aligned in substantially planar supported relation on said leg structures and a folded position of storage in which said table sections and said leg structures are oriented in adjacent, substantially parallel supported relation on said base structure, a pair of brackets respectively supported by said table sections for lateral shifting movement relative to said table sections between a first position corresponding to the position of use of said table sections in which the brackets are disposed laterally outwardly of opposite longitudinal edges of said table and a second position corresponding to the folded position of said table sections in which the brackets are disposed inwardly of such longitudinal edges, and linkage connecting said brackets with said base structure to effect such shifting movement of said brackets.

4. In a table structure, a base structure, a pair of table sections, a separate support leg structure movably mounted to each table section, a separate linkage mounted to each table section and connecting each leg structure to said base structure to mount said table sections for selective 7 movement relative to the base structure between a position of use in which the table sections are longitudinally aligned in substantially planar supported relation on said leg structures and a folded position of storage in which said sections and said leg structures are oriented in adjacent, substantially parallel supported relation on said base structure, cam structure interconnecting said table sections along adjacent transverse edges thereof for drawing such edges toward each other when the table sections are moved to the open position of use thereof and for displacing such edges from each other when the table sections are folded, and linkage connecting said base structure with said cam structure to effect such movements of the cam structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner. 

2. IN A TABLE STRUCTURE A PAIR OF TABLE SEFTIONS, UNDERFRAME STRUCTURE SUPPORTING SAID SECTIONS FOR SELECTIVBE MOVEMENT BETWEEN A POSITION OF USE IN WHICH THE SECTIONS ARE LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR RELATION AND A FOLDED POSITION OF STORAGE IN WHICH SAID SECTIONS ARE ORIENTED IN FACING, SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL ADJACENCY, A PAIR OF BRACKETS RESPECTIVELY SUPPORTED BY SAID TABLE SECTIONS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING AXES BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION CORRESXPONDING TO THE POSITION OF USE OF SAID SECTIONS IN WHICH THE BRACKETS ARE DISPOSED LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE LONGITUDINALLY EDGES O SAID TABLE AND A SECOND POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE FOLDED 